Fabric Sculpt

As I have mentioned a few times already my current knit project is based on the theme of Art Deco and in particular Art Deco architecture. Architecture has been a current theme throughout my work since I first fell in love with 3D fabric construction at A-level when I produced a Rowan Mersh inspired garment. Rowan Mersh creates sculptural garments by inserting everyday objects such as coins, tooth picks and CD's into knitted jersey fabric. Through this technique the artist creates visually stunning and organic forms.

A garment that I found particularly fitting for my current collections uses tooth picks beneath stretchy material to creating texture and structure to an otherwise flat garment. I have included a few pictures of some development work (really poor quality photos I'm afraid!) which I have constructed using monofilament and a variety of yarns. Any comments would be great.

Paper Pretties

Paper Dream Jum Nakao



Ingrid Siliakus

Jennifer Collier




Rob Ryan
I could go on for pages but I think perhaps I should stop there!!

Paper Plates

For my current knit collection sketchbook I have been working with a variety of papers, folding, pleating, adding stitch and collage to help inform my knit structure and texture. During this process I was reminded of an article featured in Vogue in 2007 which I used as inspiration for an A-level project (i can just about remember!!). Paper Plates was a fashion story created by Charlotte Stockdale to showcase the latest handbags and shoes, but it wasn't the accessories that caught my eye but the fact that all the clothes were made from paper. The wide variety of paper had been manipulated in multiple ways and it was fascinating to see the outcomes that could be created. Looking back at this article has re-established my love of all things paper.

Art Deco

For my current knitwear project I am creating a collection based on the theme of art deco. Whilst researching my theme I came across fashion designer Holly Fulton who has used the same theme in her two most recent collections although not a knitwear deigner it was interesting to see how she developed her designs taking inspiration from art deco architecture. She also took influence from Eduardo Paolozzi’s Wittgenstein in New York with its vibrant use of colour.

Inca Inspiration

For a resent project I was set the task of creating 12 geometric repeating patterns using tiles which I was to create by cutting up a square and a triangle. The aim of the project was to design these patterns taking inspiration from a topic of your chose and to visual the patterns being used in an end product. Sounds easy believe me it wasn't!! For my inspiration I looked back at my trip to Peru which informed my tile shapes and use of colours and my intended end use was for soft furnishings. If my post below is anything to go by my designs will be right on track for spring/ summer 2011 what do you think??

Going Global

Earlier in the week I travelled to Bradford for the Bradford Textile Society Design Competition Conference (quite a mouthful) to hear about the expectations for this years entries. Whilst there I was able to to attend a talk by Janet Holbrook from Peclers for a colour, fabric and style forecast for spring/ summer 2011.

The theme I particularly enjoyed was Meander: the dreaming of travel and exploration an anecdote to fast city living. This theme encompassed lose fitting travel clothes, worldwide influences and a handmade feel to designs. Ikat fabric will make a re-appearance on the catwalks and white will be a prominent colour within the theme.

Other major styles will be the 'preppy' sports wear, 'Shabby Chic' and Ballet Russe. Velvet and Blue will also be sticking around so don't banish them to the back of the wardrobe just yet!!

Fashion meets Art

Im guessing many of you are famililar with this dress as any avid xfactor fan would have seen Cheryl Cole sporting it on 'rock weeks' live show, however many may not be familar with the designer behind it.

Designer David Koma is a Central Saint Martins Fashion Graduate, and in the extremely short space of time since his graduation in March 2009 has already achieved great success with two collections heading down the runway. His first including the dress above, was a collection of sculptural, body-conscious dresses embellished with metal tubes and multicoloured chains which won Harrods Design Award.

At the moment though I'm particularly enjoying his spring/summer 2010 collection for which he took inspiration from artist Niki de Saint Phalle. This crossing of disciplines and sharing of ideas is something that we have seen quite a lot lately and it is likely to continue into the next few seasons. The collection still incorporates his metal tubing details but with bright colours and large bold prints. Looking forward to see whats next!!

Fashion, Art and Science

I was recently flicking through the September issue of Icon magazine and came across a small article on the recent work of Sonja Baumel.


Baumel says of her work "I explore the boundaries between fashion design, art and science, to create multidisciplinary works out of information generated from the design field and laboratory research.I want to create new clothes which are freed from the information about social hierarchy and material richness. The clothing shall tell a story about us as human beings, about our present perception, our fragility, our fears and pleasant"


For her most recent collection of work 'Invisible Membrane' the artist has explored bacteria that covers the skin. Merging fashion with science, Baumel has decided to create a visual reminder of the bacteria that our bodies are covered in.


What I enjoy about this collection of crocheted and knitted gloves is the delicate and intricate lace details, which are a visual representation of bacteria.

Print Problems

As part of my current project for digital design I am creating a collection of wallpaper designs with a floral theme. Initially I began the project by drawing motif designs that I hoped could be used for my final collections using an autumnal seasonal palette.



However these drawings were beginning to look like repeat patterns in their original state rather than single motifs and so when they were translated into the print program that I am using to create my wallpaper designs then did not work as well as I had hoped. I therefore need to break my drawings up and create individual motifs, which I am now beginning to develop.


Although the hand drawn motifs drawn above work a lot better than my original designs the designs still do not quite work as well as I had hope I think this is due to the scale and the fact that there is a lot of empty space in the design so its back to the drawing board literally!!

This is an ongoing project so any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Knit Krazy

When browsing the Internet recently I came across this opening statement to a Craig Lawrence interview with Vicki Loomes

"Knitwear has finally shed its image as the pastime of choice for grannies and the local WI- and that’s official. If you need convincing let’s consider the evidence- at London Fashion Week Mark Fast caused the biggest controversy (and the most heated debates) with the inclusion of ‘plus-size’ models in his catwalk show, Derek Lawlor was tipped as one of the hottest names to watch, Craig Lawrence experimented with plastic bags, and Louise Goldin’s pastel coloured creations led the now imminent arrival of feminine frivolity. Just what do these designers have in common? Yes…it’s knitwear. Pushing the boundaries between art and fashion, and proving that this craft is far more versatile than the knit one, purl one basic that I can (just about) manage, knitwear is here to stay."

And how true whether on the London and Paris catwalks or on the rails of our local high street knitwear is everywhere and it has had a major revival its no longer the twee knitted cardies you get for your granny but its all about texture, form and structure. Knitwear in fashion becomes art for the body.

Bradford Textile Competition 2009

At the end of my fist year at Leeds University I entered the Bradford Textiles Society Competition and decided to enter into the first year knit category. Having previously undergone a knit project I had found this area of Textile design exciting and it allowed me to be very creative with colour, texture and shape. As you can see from the images above my inspiration came from the natural environment and in particular shells for their interesting shapes which i recreated using hand machine knitting techniques. unfortunately I wasn't placed in the competition but my lecturers did feel my work was good enough for £15 worth of Topshop vouchers so I didn't mind too much!!!